chairperson kim: good afternoon and welcome to our special rules committee. i am joined by supervisors farrell and campos. our clerk is linda wong. we want to thank sfgtv, which will make this transcript online. >> please make sure to silence all cell phones and electronic

devices. any documents to be included as part of the file should be submitted to the court. items will be acted on the july 17 agenda of the board of supervisors, unless otherwise stated. chairperson kim: we have a number of items with general public interest, so thank you for your patience as we move through those. i would like to follow up on the item number o ne -- number one. >> item approving or rejecting the nomination of cindy wu to the planning commission. chairperson kim: commissioner wu is here today. you were just with as a fuel months ago, because you were filling the rest of a term that was once filled by commissioner olague, now one of our

supervisors. could you tell us about the past couple of months and what your priorities continue to be? we may have a couple of questions. commissioner wu: it is great to be here again. you are correct. i was just here five months ago, in an appointment to fill out the rest of ms. olague's term. it has been a learning experience to think about, citywide, what is best for san francisco. it has challenged me to think about how to preserve our city for the diversity of people who live in it -- people of different incomes, people of different races, but to think about also the needs in terms of development, things such as safety or the preservation of culture. i continue to care a lot about public participation and outreach, to care about wanting to make sure that planning code

is understandable to everyday people. there is an effort going on right now around public outreach and education that will be heard at this thursday's planning commission. happy to be part of those efforts. continue to want to see affordable housing being prioritized by the city. today, the housing trust fund is in front of you. i am excited and congratulate the halls of the family on that. supervisor campos: thank you, commissioner. as noted, we saw you a few months ago. i wonder if you can expand more on the issue of affordable housing, and your thoughts about how we are doing, in terms of meeting affordable housing needs and obligations. how you intend to approach that issue, if you continue to serve on the commission? commissioner wu: we often point

to the regional housing needs assessment as we look at what kind of housing we need. we all know we are not meeting certain categories, or any category other than above market. in my day job, i worked at chinatown community development center. because we build affordable housing and manage the applications for that housing, we see the incredible amount of people coming to the door, asking for housing. we see 8000 applications for buildings that have 80 units. there is overwhelming need for very low income housing. in terms of how we are doing, the hearth and efforts recently by supervisor -- there have been efforts recently by supervisor olague around the "housing dashboard," which may have a

different name now. i think it is just a tool, the certificates of occupancy. the policy questions need to continue in many different departments -- the mayor's office of housing, the planning department -- to understand how we make policy decisions, based on the data we now have from the dashboard, to encourage all the affordable housing development that is under 100% of ami. i do think there are different needs in different categories for low income people. supervisor campos: thank you. in terms of community involvement, can you talk about your vision in terms of engaging community players, as different projects or policy issues are considered by the planning commission? commissioner wu: i will give an example of two that have been

very successful. the planning department went through the cesar chavez streetscape design project, and also the broadway street design in chinatown. because those were funded by a caltrans brant that focused on environmental justice, there was a lot of focus on outreach engagement. i think that means partnering with ceo's in the neighborhood, doing a wide span of stakeholders, doing outreach to all of them. deep engagement, coupled with education, is really important. i would love to see that replicated, in terms of the way the department does outreach on legislation or big projects. also, never heard projects. a lot of it is about doing the education, teaching people, in plain terms, what is happening with the code or with a

project, and enabling them to make decisions or influence the project in a way that is about how it influences their lives. supervisor campos: thank you. chairperson kim: that was some of the questions i had as well. speaking about community engagement, you spoke about that a couple of months ago. i was curious how you feel you have been able to do that kind of work already. i know that you attend a lot of community meetings. how have you been able to go to other communities you may not have as much familiarity with, to incorporate community members as part of your decision making process? commissioner wu: some of it is learning and observing what other communities are doing. i have participated in the 17th and folsom community process, which has been passed on to rec and park, but which started at

the planning department. participating in meetings at the planning department around student housing, around different topics, making as much time as available to participate in the discussions that i think stakeholders' really care about. chairperson kim: that brings me to my second question. our office is working closely with the warriors on the proposed arena, which they would like to look at on piers 30 through 32. what will guide you in that process? commissioner wu: i think it is the discussion around community benefits that has already been put out in public. we see examples of at&t park. on bigger developments, a washington -- 8 washington. trying to understand the impact

of a project and how you mitigate them. whether it is about needing more affordable housing or open space, really understanding the impact of a project on the immediate neighborhood, but also someone understanding it is not just about immediate geography. i am not sure if it is citywide, but understanding the broader impacts of a project, so those are mitigated. the project needs to come in in a way that enhances the entire city. chairperson kim: thank you very much. at this time, i am going to open up for public comment. if you would like to speak on item one, please do lineup. -- line up. seeing no public comment, public comment is -- i know the room is very crowded. if you could line up on this side of the room, so i know

there are people speaking on this item -- otherwise, i will close public comment. thank you. >> my name is frank. i have had occasion to listen to the planning commission, and what the planning commission over the last few years, on behalf of the neighborhood association of golden gate heights, and the sunset heights association, as well as professionally, as a small- business person. i want to say that i think all three of these people should be reappointed. that are well deserving. with regard to ms. wu, her experience with low income housing is crucial. also, she brings a perspective from a community that is definitely needed for the planning commission. with regard to commissioner anthony -- antonini, he has been there a while, and is one of the

leading advocates of job creation, and is well qualified. he also listened to neighborhood groups, business people, and stakeholders. he is very accessible. mr. hillis is probably the most qualified candidate we have seen for a land use commission, based on previous qualifications, both working for the city in the economic development department, the mayor's office, as well as his service on commissions. chairperson kim: thank you. this is actually just on the appointment of cindy wu, but if this takes care of your comments for the next two items, you are gracious, if that is the case. >> peter cullen. we support cindy wu's

appointment. she is still on the issues. she knows land use and housing. she knows affordable housing, and that is very important for us. she comes out of the community, and understands the community perspective, as did her predecessor, supervisor olague. and her demeanor is excellent. the commission is a public forum for dialogue. it is important to recognize that when folks come to the commission and do not have all the knowledge, that she is very good in that manner. we support her very strongly. >> for name: -- fernando marti. i want to echo what was said. i think something critical to the planning commission, and any commission, is the ability to pull together votes, to work

collaboratively with others. cindy wu has demonstrated that in her early short tenure, and it is what we look forward to on the commission. >> manuel florez, local carpenters union. i am just getting to know cindy wu. she does appear to have a good, strong sense of community outreach. very knowledgeable. i see that. obviously, that is very important. i will look for my approval on that as we continue. >> san francisco information clearing house. i have known cindy as a student, as a community planner, and as a planning commissioner. in all three roles, she has brought an intelligence and

dedication, and a knowledge that is surprising for a person of her age. most specifically, as we move forward, regional planning and regional planning issues, jobs- housing linkage and transit oriented development at a reasonable level -- at a regional level is going to play a big role in shaping plans and programs, steering federal and state money. ms. wu brings a unique knowledge of the needs of low income communities to that regional discussion. i think her voice and her knowledge is critically important, moving forward. i strongly recommend commissioner wu to this committee. chairperson kim: thank you. >> i think five months ago, i

sang for cindy wu. ♪ please reappoint cindy wu you know this city love 0 -- loves you the planning commission, you will always be true we love you, do someone to love planning commission, that's you we love cindy wu the planning commission loves you too the city will always be true please reappoint cindy wu ♪ chairperson kim: thank you, mr. paulson. >> it is not possible to follow that, but i will try.

we are getting to know the commissioner of the housing action commission, but she has made a very promising start. has a terrific background and expertise we need for discussion of the issues that confront the city. we would strongly support her reappointment. thank you. >> residential builders association. we support the reappointment of the commissioner, and will not echo the previous statements, but we do support her. >> is inappropriate for another commissioner to speak on behalf? i assume it is. i am very happy, being able to work with commissioner wu these few months. something she brought which was a godsend to us is she requested a zoning map. the department quickly produced it. it graces my wall in my office,

and it makes things much easier, identifying where areas begin and end. her insights are invaluable. she has been and hopefully will continue to be a wonderful addition to the planning commission. chairperson kim: public comment is now closed on this item. colleagues? supervisor campos: thank you. we are dealing with the planning commission, one of the most important appointments we can make. the way the city charter works is that we actually have 60 days to act upon an nomination by the mayor. unless there is action to reject the nomination, it becomes effective after that time. we have to forward these items. i am proud to make a motion to move this item forward, recommending approval of president chiu's nomination of

cindy wu to the planning commission. chairperson kim: there is a second for that. i want to thank the commissioner. and also commissioner antonini. i look forward to continuing to work with you. we have a motion and a second, without opposition. please call item number two. >> motion approving the mayor's nomination of michael antonini to the planning commission. chairperson kim: he is clearly here today. it is the same format, although you have not been here as recently. if you could speak briefly to your experience and some of your priorities, and then we will open up for questions. commissioner antonini: thank you. chairperson kim: this is an announcement for the public. we have a deputy sheriff. >> there is an overflow room.

you cannot stand in here, unless you want to speak. if there is not a seat for you, please go down the hall. chairperson kim: as your item is heard, we ask that you go to the overflow room, so you can open up seats for people here for that particular item. commissioner antonini: your supervisors, i was thrilled to have been nominated for another term of service as a planning commissioner for the city and county of san francisco. i am thankful for the opportunity to have met with you and learn of your priorities. i am honored to be before you. my reasons for seeking another term, and asking you to forward my nomination to the full board, are both general and specific. in general terms, i was raised in a tradition that expects one to give back to society, and to build a better world. i believe that being men and

women for others is an important value that must be stressed as a guiding principle. a pledge to my late son, who died at age 21, just before beginning his career as a firefighter, that i would remain involved in civic affairs, and to honor his memory and love for san francisco. because of 10 years of prayer service on the planning commission, i will bring to that body it familiarity of procedure and an institutional knowledge of precedent. i was recently elected chairman of a six member group of three commissioners from planning and three from historic preservation, with the very important task of involving a commission secretary search, which needs to replace our long- serving commission secretary. as a dental professional, i will continue to be able to bring the learned the values from that profession patience, a careful

analysis, and attentive listening to all who have served me -- who have served me well as a planning commissioner. my profession has nothing to do with land use, so i am truly independent in my decisions. in our quasi--judicial role, it is important that we be guided by facts of cases, not theology. we are entering some very exciting times in san francisco, with opportunities to graft commercial, civic, educational, institutional, entertainment, and hospitality features, to meet the tremendous demands that have developed at this time. together, we are establishing san francisco as the premier city in america, and perhaps the world, to live, work,